Printer



Au 27, 1963 c. A. CHRISTOFF ETAL 3,101,564

PRINTER Filed Feb. 6, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1' INVENTORS (HP/J A. 000170;;m/m/ 0 sE/wfimer 1963 c. A. CHRISTOFF ETAL 3,101,664

PRINTER Filed Feb. 6, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE E v INVENTORS (HE/5 A,CHE/370i? JOl/A/ 0. saw/541w BYW 1963 c. A. CHRISTOFF ETAL 3,101,664

PRINTER Filed Feb. 6, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIE.

30 5 02PM ARV T I ME 6 FT LA CALIF IOZZZAM CHICAGO AT 4:04PM CHICAGO AT4:50PM 7632i 5s2o| :EIE E INVENTORS BYW? 1963 c. A. CHRISTOFF ETAL 3,

PRINTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 F7 7:. Y ma 5 MW M M W ng Mmw m Y B United States Patent 3,101,664 PRENTER Chris A. Christofi, SanGabriel, and John D. Gearheart, Baldwin Park, Califi, assignors to ClaryCorporation, San Gabriel, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb.6, 1961, Ser. No. 87,334 Uairns. (Cl. IMF-93) This invention relates toprinters for printing selected data and has particular reference to highspeed printers for printing data in different colors or otherdistinguishing characteristics.

Heretofore, selective color printers of variable data generallycomprised multi-color inked printing ribbons which were interposedbetween the type characters and the record medium. In order to changethe color of the printed material when printing data, the ribbon wasshifted to bring an appropriate color zone intermediate the typecharacters and the record medium.

Although the above system of employing multi-colored inking ribbons isgenerally satisfactory, problems arise in connection with certain typesof high speed printers which make the use of inking ribbons generallyunsatisfactory for use in connection with such printers.

It therefore becomes a principal object of the invention to selectivelyprint data in different colors or other distinguishing characteristicswithout the employment of printing ribbons.

Another object is to selectively print data in different colors or otherdistinguishing characteristics on preformed strips of paper or the like.

Another object is to selectively print data on strips of paper or thelike from any of a plurality of seriallyarranged printing devices.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention areaccomplished will be readily understood on reference to the followingspecification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view, with parts broken away, of aprinter embodying a preferred form of the present invention, and istaken substantially along the line 11 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view showing a portion of the guidechute and strip arresting devices.

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 3-3of FIGS. 1 and 2 when combined.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating particularly the typewheel element and platen positioning means, and is taken substantiallyalong the line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a strip having data printed thereon.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the wiring circuit for controlling theprinter.

FIG. 7 is a transverse View taken along line 7-7 of aga nst PatentedAug. 27, 1963 The type wheel element 20 comprises an assembly consistingof an external gear 22 and type wheels 23 and 24 maintained in spacedrelation by a belt pulley 25. Suitable fastening means (not shown) clampthe type wheels, gear 22 and pulley together as an integral unit. Acounterbalance 10 is attached to the shaft 17 to balance the assemblymounted on the shaft.

The wheel element 20 is rotated by a motor 19 through a flexible endlessbelt 29 wrapped around the pulley 25 and a second pulley 39 on the motorshaft. A springpressed' idler 210 is held against the belt to maintainthe same taut at all times.

Each of the type wheels has a row of equally spaced type characters 49therearound. In the present case, two sets of alpha-numerical typecharacters are provided on each wheel in addition to certain symbolcharacters, there being 80 character spaces altogether. Also, the typecharacters on wheel 24 are arranged identically to the type characterson wheel 23, duplicate characters on the two wheels being directly inline with each other.

The gear 22, which is concentric with the eccentric portion 18 of theshaft 17, meshes with an internal gear 27 formed in the casting 13, theinternal gear 'being arranged concentrically of the main portion of itsshaft 17.

The gear 22 contains twice the number of teeth as the number ofcharacter spaces therearound, i.e., 160 teeth, and the internal gear 27contains the same number of teeth plus one such multiple, i.e., 162teeth. Thus, upon each rotation of the shaft 17 due to rotation of thetype wheel assembly, and consequent orbital movement of the I typewheels about the center of the shaft proper, such type wheels will creepfrom one type character position to the next relative to a printingstation established by any one of five platens 28, there being five suchplatens for each type wheel. The platens of each set are spaced apartdistances equal to the spacing between adjacent type characters 49.

The type wheels 23 and 24 are only slightly larger in diameter than thegear 22. Accordingly, as the type wheel element moves in an orbit aboutthe center of the internal gear 27, each type character will describe asubstantially hypocycloidal curve as set forth in the aforementionedWitt et a1. Patent 2,915,968 so that as the type character reaches theapex of its outward travel, it will be moving substantially radiallyoutward. If, at this time, a printing platen 28 has been positionedinwardly toward its respective type wheel against a paper strip 30 whichhas been positioned intermediate'the type wheels and the platens,printing contact will occur to transfer a printing impression from thetype character to the strip, 3

wheels 23 and 24. For this purpose, an inking device is FIG. 3 showingone of the strip sensing levers and its relation to the strip guidechute.

Referring to the drawings, the printer is of the hypocycloidal typebasically similar to that disclosed and claimed in the patent to Witt etal., No. 2,915,968, issued on December 8, 1959, and in the applicationof C. A. Christoif, Serial No. 859,349, filed December 14, 1959.

The printer comprises a frame including a pair of spaced verticallyextending base plates 11 having a transversely extending wall 12therebetween. A generally circular casting 13 is secured by screws 14 tothe wall and has a bore 15 extending therethrough, in which are mounteda pair of spaced ball bearings 16. The latter rotatably support a shaft17 having an eccentric shaft portion 18 formed on the left-hand endthereof. The eccentric portion 18 rotatably supports a type wheelelement generally indicated at 20 through spaced ball bearings 21.

preferably employed which is basically similar to that disclosed andclaimed in the copending application of C. A. Christoff, Serial No.21,370, filed on April 11, 1960, now U. S. Patent No. 3,043,214. Suchinking device comprises generally a roller 30 divided into two axiallyspaced sections 31 and 32, each having a layer 33 of felt or the likearound its periphery. The roller is yieldably pressed a container 36 tothereby absorb a minute quantity of ink.

The ink pads 34 an 35 contain differently colored inks whereby, as thewheels 23 and 24 are rotated, ink of one color will be applied to thetype characters of one type wheel and ink of another color, will beapplied to the type characters of the other type wheel.

In order to prevent the ink from unduly accumulating over the surfacesof the type characters, a cleaning roller 38 is provided, beingyielda-bly held against thesurface of the type wheels by leaf springs40, each attached at one end to the container 36 and forming at itsopposite end a bearing for the roller 38. The roller 38 carries tworadially extending sets of bristles 41 and 42. Each set of bristles ismounted with the plane of each of its end faces extending at an angle toa plane passing transversely through the roller axis so that as theroller is rotated, the bristles tend to wipe laterally to continuallyremove any accumulated ink from the type characters and from intersticestherebetween.

The various platens 28 are slideably mounted for endwise movement inguide plates 43 and 44, and each is pivotally connected to an armature45' of a respective electromagnet, i.e., 46a and 46b. The armature ispivoted at 45a on the magnet frame and a tension spring 47 urges thearmature in a direction to normally hold the platen in its positionshown in FIG. 1, out of the path of the respective type wheel. However,when the magnet is energized, the platen will be raised to a positionwherein it will cause a printing impression to be made from a selectedtype character onto a strip 30 which has been positioned between thewheel and the platen when the respective type Wheel moves through thelower portion of its periphery.

The strips 30 (FIG. on which data is to be printed are all of equallength and are fed sequentially into the right-hand end of a guide chute48, FIGS. 1 and 2.

Strip feeding disc assemblies 50 and 51 are located adjacent theopposite edges of the guide chute and are continuously rotated by motordriven means (not shown) to engage opposite edges of an inserted stripso as to advance the same into the printer. Each disc assembly comprisesa pair of beveled discs 52 and 52a splined on a drive shaft 152 andpressed together by a compression spring 53 so as to yieldably grip theedge of the strip.

A pair of strip arresting arms 54 and 55 are provided adjacent theright-hand end of the guide chute 48. The arms are pivotally supportedat 153' and 154 and are urged by springs 58 and 60 toward the chute 48.Such arms are spaced from each other along the chute by an amount equalto the distance between the type wheels 23 and 24 and one or the otheris selectively conditioned to arrest an inserted strip, depending on thecolor in which said strip is to be printed, so that the lines of printwill be located in the same relative positions on all strips regardlessof which print wheel is to be used to print data thereon.

The arresting arms 54 and 55 are normally held out of the path of thestrips 30 by respective electromagnets 56 and 57. As will be notedhereinafter, when a strip is fed into the chute 48, one or botharresting arms are allowed to engage the surface of such inserted stripwhereby one or the other of the arms will fall into a notch 61 formed inthe strip when the latter reaches a predetermined position in theprinter.

7 Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, two sensors, generally indicated at 64 and65, are provided to complete respective control circuits when struck bythe leading edge of an inserted strip. The sensor 64 effectsintermittent line feeding of a strip when it is to be printed by thetype wheel 24 and the sensor 65 effects intermittent feeding when thestrip is to be printed by the type wheel 23.

The sensor 64 comprises an arm 66 pivotally mounted on a horizontalshaft 67 and carrying a switch unit 68. A sensing lever 69 is pivotallysupported at 170 on the arm 66 for movement about a vertical axis toactuate the switch unit 68. The lever 69' has a projection 70 whichnormally extends into the path of the strips 3t! as they move throughthe chute 48.

The arm 66 has a portion 166 engaged by jaws formed on a lever 71 whichis pivoted at 72 and is pivotally connected to the armature 73 of asolenoid 74-. A spring 75 normally holds the linkage in a positionwherein the projection 70 of sensing lever 6-9 is arranged to beactuated by the leading edge of a strip 30 as the latter is fed throughthe chute so as to actuate the switch unit 68. However, uponenergization of the solenoid 74, the armed will be rocked to lower theprojection 70 out of the path of the strip, allowing the latter to befurther advanced as will appear presently.

The second sensor 65 is similar in construction to sensor 64, its arm'76 supporting a switch unit 77 which is actuated by a sensing lever 78(see also FIG. 7) pivotally supported by the arm for movement about asubstantially vertical axis. The arm has a projection 80 thereon whichis normally located in the path of an inserted strip 30.

The arm 76 is engaged by the jaws of a bell crank 81 which is pivoted at82 and connected by a link 83 to a second bell crank 84. The latter isattached to a rock shaft 85 and is pivotally connected to the armature86 of a solenoid 87.

Also attached to the shaft 85 are spaced arms 88 in which are journaledthe ends of a shaft 90 having attached thereto a pin wheel 91 locateddirectly below but normally out of the path of the strips 30.

A second pin wheel 92 is provided in the path of the strips and islocated adjacent the left-hand end of the chute 48. The latter wheel isattached to a shaft which carries a belt pulley 94 and is arranged to beintermittently advanced by a rotary solenoid unit 95 mounted on one ofthe frame walls 11. The latter may be of any well-known type such asthat disclosed in the patent to Leland, No. 2,496,880, issued onFebruary 7, 1950.

An endless belt 96 connected between the pulley 94 and a second pulley97 on the shaft 90' drives the pin wheel 91 in time with pin wheel 92.

The pin wheels 91 and 92 each has a series of needlelike pins whichextend radially a short distance therefrom to penetrate the strips andthus drive the same leftwardly'through the chute '48 and past the typewheels.

Upon energization of the solenoid 8 7, the pin wheel 91 is raised bybell crank 84 into driving engagement, with a strip located thereover.At the same time, the bell crank 34 moves the link 33' to the left,thereby rocking the bell crank 81 clockwise to lower the sensor 65 outof the path of an inserted strip. The link 83 i coupled [through a pinand slot connection 98 with a depending projection of the lever '71 sothat leftward movementof the link 83 will also be effective to withdrawthe sensor 64 from the path of a strip passing through the chute.

-As noted in FIG. 5, the printer is capable of printing on five lines ofinformation at a time on the strips 30 as they pass through the printer.After a letter, digit or symbol is printed in each line, the strip isletter spaced toward the left by the rotary solenoid 9S and .pin wheels91 and 92.

For this purpose, data is received in binary form from five sources ofinformation (not shown) over five sets of lines 10th:, 1001;, 1600, 100dand mike (FIG. 6). The lines of each set represent different weightedvalues in the binary scale of progression. For example, the lines ineach set, counting from the uppermost one, represents the decimal values'1, 2., 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and blank, respectively. Decimally equivalentvalues ranging from 1 to 80 which may represent numerical andalphabetical data are registered by relatively high potentials on one ormore such lines, except a lowermost line which represents a blank only.

The type wheel 23 has a circular row of holes 101 arrangedconcentrically thereabout, there being one hole for each type characteraround the wheel. A. pulse generating device 1492 is mounted in the pathof the holes 101 to generate a pulse as each hole passes the same. Sucha pulse gene-rating device may be of the well known reluctance pick-uptype wherein a magnetic field is generated at the inner end 163 of thedevice and such .field is modified by each hole 101 as it passes thesame so as to a cause pulses to be applied over a line 10 4. The latteris connected .at point 105 to a line 106 which, in turn, is connected tothe inputs of five 8 -513-126 pulse counters 107a, 7b,'167c, 107d and1117c. Each of the latter is of the binary type whose output-s, i.e.,1118a, register different weighted values in accordance with the scaleof binary progression. Such weighted values are the same as thoseregistered by the different lines of each set of information lines,i.e., 108a. That is, counting from the uppermost one, the line 103aregiser the decimal values 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64. Thus, decimalvalues ranging from 1 to 80, corresponding to the different typecharacter positions around the type wheels, are successively registeredby relatively high potentials on one or a com bination of output lineson each of the counters 107a to 107a A second pulse generating device110, similar to the device 162, is mounted in the path of a single hole111 in the type wheel 23 so as to apply a reset pulse to a reset circuit112 which is connected to suitable reset circuits in the differentcounters 107a and 107a.

The different digital information lines of each set 1000, etc., and thediiferen-t ouput lines 108a of a corresponding counter 107a, etc., areconnected as inputs to an associated multiple input coincidence gate 114a, etc. The latter may be of any well known construction such as thetype shown in the copending application of R. E. London, Serial No.172,364, filed January 15, 1962.

When the count registered by a counter, for example, counter 107a,matches the data or amount registered by the associated set ofinformation lines 100a, an output pulse will be generated in a line 118which is connected as an input to an and gate 120a. The second input ofgate 120a is connected through a line 121 to the line 104 for timingpurposes. The output of gate 1211a is connected through an amplifier 122to a line 123 connected to the upper ends of two aligned platen magnets46a and 46b, the former associated with type wheel 23 and the latterassociated with type wheel 24.

The remaining coincidence gates 1114b to 114e are similarly providedwith output lines which, when the outputs of the respective countersmatch the corresponding incoming data lines, apply pulses throughrespective gates 12% to 12tle and associated amplifiers to the upperends of additional electromagnets 460 to 46 Magnets 460, 460, 46a, 46gand 46i are associated with the five platens 28 which cooperate with thetype wheel 23 while the magnets 46b, 46d, 46 46h and 461' are associatedwith the five platens which cooperate with the type wheel 24.

Means are provided to condition a circuit through the magnets associatedwith either the type wheel 23 or the type wheel 24. For this purpose, aswitch 124 is provided which, when set in its upper illustratedposition, completes a circuit from a line 126 through contact 125 andline 127 to the lower ends of the magnets 46:1, 460, 460, 46g and 46i.Thus, when a counter output matches the registration on the associatedset of information lines, the appropriate one of the latter magnets isenergized to effect printing by the appropriate type character on thetype wheel 23.

When the switch 124 is moved to its lower position, one blade 125thereof completes a circuit from line 126 through point 128 and line 130to the lower ends of the magnets 46b, 46d, 461, 46k and 46 In thiscondition, when a counter output matches the registration on theassociated set of information lines, the corresponding one of themagnets 46b, 46d, 46 46h and 46 is energized to effect printing by theappropriate type character on the type wheel 24.

The switch 124 has a second blade thereon which, when the switch is inits upper illustrated position, completes a circuit firom a line 135through a contact 136, line 137 and the solenoid 74 (see also FIG. 1),thus causing the latter to remove the sensor 64 from the path of theinserted this step-by-step printing action when printing correspondingcharacter spaces in the five lines across the strip 30,

the counters are initially reset to successively higher values andretain this relationship throughout the counting operation. For example,the counter 170a may be initially set to zero upon reception of a resetpulse over line 112. Concurrently, the counter 1197b is set to 1,counter 1tl7c to 2, counter'ltwd to 3 and counter 1072 to 4.

It should be noted that the data is received over the sets of lines1110a to 1011s in sequence. Therefore, means are provided to causeadvancement of a strip 30 one letter space only after printing of adigit in each of the lines or after printing certain of such lines andreceipt of an indication of -a blank digit positions in others of suchlines. I

For the purpose, the line 123 and the other similar lines connected tothe upper ends of the various magnets 46a to 46j are connected through aline 138 to the input of a five-state counter 140. Also connected to theinput-of counter 140 is a line 141 which is connected to a blankindicating line 142, there being one such line in each of the five sets10 001 to lime.

Upon counting five pulses indicative of character printing in each ofthe five lines on the strip or printing in certain of such lines andblank spacing through others, the counter resets and also applies anoutput pulse through line 143, amplifier 144 and the actuating coil 145of the rotary solenoid 95, thereby causing the latter to advance thestrip one character space.

Means are provided under control of one or the other of the sensors 64and 65 to control movement of the aforementioned intermittent strip feedmeans and to enable one or the other of the arresting arms 54 and 55.For this purpose, the sensor switch unit 68 (FlGS. 3 and 6) comprising anormally open switch 146 and a normally closed switch 147. The switch146 is connected in circuit with a power supply 148, the coil of alocking relay 155, norm-ally closed contacts of a relay 156 and theaforementioned solenoid 87 (see also FIG. 1). Thus, as the leading edgeof the strip '30 engages the sensing lever 69 of the sensor 64, theswitch 146 will close to energize the solenoid 87 and to lock the relayenergized. I

Switch 147 is in circuit with the power supply 148, magnet 57 associatedwith the arresting arm 55, contacts of relay 156 and solenoid '87. Thus,as the switch 147 opens, the arm 55 is allowed to move into the path ofthe notch 61 in the inserted strip to arrest the same in proper positionfor printing the first set of characters in the five lines on the strip.

Sensing switch unit 77 also contains a normally open switch 157 and anormally closed switch 158. Switch 157 is connected in parallel withswitch 146 and therefore is effective, when the sensing lever of thesenor 65 is actuatedby an inserted strip, to energize the solenoid 87.

Switch 158 is in circuit with the powerpsupply 148, electromagnet 56associated with the strip arresting arm 54, contacts of relay 156 andsolenoid 87 whereby to norm-ally hold the arm 54 out of the path of theinserted strip. Thus, as the switch 158 opens, the arm 54 will beallowed to drop into arresting relation with the inserted strip.

Means are provided to de-energize the solenoid 87 when a predeterminednumber of character spaces have been printed on the five lines of theinserted strip. For this purpose, a pulse counter 160, set to count tosuch predetermined number, has its input connected to the output ofcounter 140 and its output connected through an amplifier 161 and thecoil of relay 156 so that when such predetermined number of letterspaces has been printed, the relay 156 is energized to drop the lockingrelay 155 and to open the circuit through the solenoid 87. The counter160 resets automatically to zero following such count.

The aforementioned counters 167a to 167e, 1140 and 160 may be of anywell known type capable of being reset upon reaching the state countindicated. though the invention has been described herein in detail andcertain specific terms and languages have been used, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is illustrative rather than restrictiveand that changes or modifications may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to secure by UnitedStates Letters Patent is:

1. Printing mechanism comprising the combination of a printing wheelelement havinga plurality of axially spaced rows of type charactersaround the periphery thereof, means for rotating said wheel element, afirst impression device for obtaining a printing impresion of a selectedtype character in one of said rows, a second impression device forobtaining a printing impression of a selected type character in a secondone of said rows, means for guiding a record medium between said wheelelement and said impression devices in a direction parallel to the axisof said wheel element, means for selectively conditioning one or theother of said impression devices for operation, means responsive to saidlast mentioned means for locating said record medium in either of twopositions depending on which of said impression devices is conditioned,and means for operating a conditioned one of said impresion devices.

2. Printing mechanism comprising the combination of a printing wheelelement having first and second axially spaced rows of type charactersaround the periphery thereof, means for rotating said wheel element,.afirst impression device for obtaining a printing impression of aselected type character in said first row, a second impression devicefor obtaining a printing impression of a selected type character in saidsecond row, a first conditioning means for conditioning said firstimpression device for operation, a second conditioning device forconditioning said second impression device for operation, means forsuccessively advanding a plurality of record medium strips between saidwheel element and said impression devices in a direction parallel to theaxis of said wheel element, said first conditioning means controllingsaid advancing means to advance a said strip to a predetermined positionrelative to said first row of type characters and said secondconditioning means controlling said advancing means to advance saidrecord medium to a predetermined position relative to said second row oftype characters.

3. Printing mechanism comprising the combination of a printing wheelelement having first and second axially spaced rows of type charactersaround the periphery thereof, means for rotating said wheel element, afirst impression device for obtaining a printing impression of aselected type character in said first row, a second impression devicefor obtaining a printing impression of a selected type character in saidsecond row, a first conditioning means for said first impression device,a second conditioning means for said second impression device, means forsuccessively and yieldably advancing a plurality of record medium stripsbetween said wheel element and said impression devices in a directionparallel to the axis of said Wheel element, a pair of arresting elementsspaced along the path of movement of said strips, each of said arrestingdevices being adapted to arrest a said strip upon engaging saidarresting device, and means controlled by one of said conditioning meansfor rendering one of said arresting devices ineffective.

4. Printing mechanism comprising the combination of a printing wheelelement having first and second wially spaced rows of type charactersaround the periphery thereof, means for rotating said wheel element, afirst impression device for obtaining a printing impression of aselected type character in said first row, a second impression devicefor obtaining a printing impression of a selected type character in saidsecond row, a first conditioning means for said first impression device,a second conditioning means for said second impression device, means forsuccessively and yieldably advancing a plurality of record medium stripsat a constant rate of speed between said wheel element and saidimpression device in a direction parallel to the axis of said wheelelement, a pair of arresting devices spaced along the path of movementof said strips, said arresting devices being adapted to arrest a saidstrip at diiferent positions respectively relative to said wheelelement, means controlled by one of said conditioning means forrendering one of said arresting devices ineffective, and meansresponsive to operation of either of said arresting devices forthereafter intermittently advancing a said strip.

5.- Printing mechanism comprising the combination of a printing wheelelement having a plurality of axially spaced rows of type charactersaround the periphery thereof, said characters being arranged in columnslengthwise of said wheel element, the characters in any one of saidcolumns being identical, means for advancing said wheel element, meansfor applying ink of one color to the characters of a first one of saidrows, means for applying ink of a second color to the characters of asecond one of said rows, 21 first impression device for obtaining aprinting impression of a selected type character in said first row, asecond impression device for obtaining a printing impression of aselected type character in said second row, means for guiding a recordmedium between said wheel element and said impression devices in adirection parallel to the axis of said wheel element, means selectivelysettable in one condition for locating said record medium in position tobe printed by said first row of type characters and for enabling saidfirst impression device and disabling said second impression device,said settable means being settable in a second condition for locatingsaid record medium in position to be printed by said second row of typecharacters and for enabling said second impression device and disablingsaid first impression device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,936,656 Bell Nov. 28, 1933 2,668,870 Ridler Feb. 9, 1954 2,692,551Potter Oct. 26, 1954 2,896,531 Dodge et a1. July 28, 1959

2. PRINTING MECHANISM COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF A PRINTING WHEELELEMENT HAVING FIRST AND SECOND AXIALLY SPACED ROWS OF TYPE CHARACTERSAROUND THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID WHEEL ELEMENT, AFIRST IMPRESSION DEVICE FOR OBTAINING A PRINTING IMPRESSION OF ASELECTED TYPE CHARACTER IN SAID FIRST ROW, A SECOND IMPRESSION DEVICEFOR OBTAINING A PRINTING IMPRESSION OF A SELECTED TYPE CHARACTER IN SAIDSECOND ROW, A FIRST CONDITIONING MEANS FOR CONDITIONING SAID FIRSTIMPRESSION DEVICE FOR OPERATION, A SECOND CONDITIONING DEVICE FORCONDITIONING SAID SECOND IMPRESSION DEVICE FOR OPERATION, MEANS FORSUCCESSIVELY ADVANCING A PLURALITY OF RECORD MEDIUM STRIPS BETWEEN SAIDWHEEL ELEMENT AND SAID IMPRESSION DEVICES IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THEAXIS OF SAID WHEEL ELEMENT, SAID FIRST CONDITIONING MEANS CONTROLLINGSAID ADVANCING MEANS TO ADVANCE A SAID STRIP TO A PREDETERMINED POSITIONRELATIVE TO SAID FIRST ROW OF TYPE CHARACTERS AND SAID SECONDCONDITIONING MEANS CONTROLLING SAID ADVANCING MEANS TO ADVANCE SAIDRECORD MEDIUM TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND ROW OFTYPE CHARACTERS.